named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Dyngus Day Origins and Celebration
Documents the history and evolution of Dyngus Day, from pagan spring rites to modern celebrations in the U.S., particularly in South Bend and Buffalo.
Pisanki (Easter Egg) Workshop
Step-by-step guide to creating traditional Polish wax-resist decorated eggs, including materials, dyes, and techniques.
Polish Easter Traditions Education
Provides detailed educational resources on Polish Easter customs including Lenten practices, Holy Week observances, Easter Sunday rituals, and Dyngus Day celebrations.
Swiecone (Blessed Easter Basket) Guide
Explains the traditional foods placed in Easter baskets and their symbolic meanings, with instructions for preparation and blessing.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
-
Polish & Slavic Cultural Preservation 2 activities
- Conducts research and publishes cultural materialsEngages in research on Polish traditions and publishes educational materials, such as a booklet explaining the symbolic meanings of foods in the Polish Easter basket ("Święconka") and Dyngus Day customs.
- Offers educational and cultural programmingProduces and sponsors lectures, art workshops, musical performances, genealogy webinars, and Polish language classes. Also organizes international cultural tours to Poland and supports a summer program in Polish language and culture at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
-
-
Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Administers college scholarships for students of Polish heritageProvides annual college scholarships to high school seniors in the Rochester area, with ten students awarded each year. The program is part of broader efforts to support education and Polish cultural identity.
-
-
Historic Preservation Support Grants 1 activity
- Funds programs that promote Polish heritageProvides financial support to other organizations through a grantmaking program aimed at advancing Polish cultural heritage and related initiatives.
-
-
Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Organizes cultural events and celebrationsHosts recurring cultural events such as the annual Wigilia (Polish Christmas Eve) dinner, Polonia Picnic, and Polish Arts Fest, featuring traditional music, food, and customs. These events are open to the public and serve as culminating activities of the organization’s programming.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$84K
Contributions & grants$13K15%
Program service revenue$5K6%
Investment income$66K78%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$79K
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$37K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$814K
Cash$52K
Investments$762K
Liabilities$0
Net assets$814K
Liquid reserves123.9 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +25.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 10
- BARB PIPPIN — DIRECTOR
- DAVID BRYNIARSKI — PRESIDENT
- DOROTHY STYK — DIRECTOR
- JERRY RACHFAL — VICE PRESIDENT
- JOHN REFERMAT — DIRECTOR
- KATHLEEN URBANIC — DIRECTOR
- KRYSTINA LIZAK — TREASURER
- LEE PARKS — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL LEACH — RECORDING SECRETARY
- RENATA LIZAK — DIRECTOR
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- American Council for Polish Culture Network — Member organization
- American Council for Polish Culture Partner — Co-funder of the $1,000 top prize in the literary competition, contributing a $500 matching award.
- Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester Funder — Funds the szopka program through a grant
- Jazz 90.1 Partner — Media partner broadcasting Polish music programming, including the Polka Bandstand.
- Kosciuszko Foundation Network — Member organization
- Krakow Sister Cities Program Partner — Collaborates on annual "Wigilia" celebration and other Christmas season programs.
- Monroe One BOCES Partner — Collaborates to support translation and interpretation services for students and families.
- Monroe One BOCES Partner — Collaborates with Monroe One BOCES for translation services during the 2024-25 school year.
- Nazareth University Partner — Hosted the Wigilia dinner event at its Shults Center
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Funds the szopka program through a grant
- New York State Legislatures Funder — Funds the szopka program through a grant
- OCO Press Partner — Published Rev. Czeslaw Krysa's booklet on Easter traditions.
- Polish American Congress Network — Member organization
- Polish Arts Fest Partner — Partner organization hosting a joint cultural event.
- Polish Heritage Society of Rochester Partner — Collaborates on annual "Wigilia" celebration and other Christmas season programs.
- Rochester Museum and Science Center Partner — Collaborates on annual "Wigilia" celebration and other Christmas season programs.
- Rochester Polish Landmarks Society Partner — Collaborates through presentations and shared focus on preserving Polish heritage in Rochester.
- Skalny Center at the University of Rochester Partner — Academic and cultural partner supporting Polish heritage in Rochester.
- St. Stanislaus Church Partner — Hosts Polish language classes.
- St. Stanislaus Koska Church Partner — Community partner and gathering place for the Polish-American community in Rochester.
- klizak@outlook.com Partner — Contact point for scholarship application questions and paper application requests
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cultural Preservation Through Community Engagementmethodology: cultural_preservation_through_public_programmingBy hosting public programs, traditional events, and cultural festivals, the organization strengthens Polish-American identity and fosters intergenerational continuity of heritage, because shared experiences build communal belonging and sustain cultural transmission.
- Education as Cultural Transmissionmethodology: cultural-education-through-competitionBy engaging students and members through essay competitions, scholarships, and educational presentations, the organization promotes active learning and stewardship of Polish heritage, because structured educational participation deepens personal connection and ensures long-term cultural continuity.
- Language Learning for Cultural Accessmethodology: conversational-language-learningBy teaching conversational Polish, the organization lowers barriers to cultural participation and familial connection, because language proficiency enables deeper engagement with heritage, traditions, and intergenerational communication.